Johan Molin

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size = 180px
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 5
height_in = 7
weight_lb = 182
nickname =
league = EIHL
team = Nottingham Panthers
former_teams = Manchester Phoenix
nationality = SWE
birth_date = birth date and age|1976|10|25
birth_place = Nacka, Sweden
career_start = 1997
career_end =

Johan Molin (born October 25, 1976 in Nacka, Sweden) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Nottingham Panthers in the EIHL. Molin began his career playing in the Elitserien or Swedish Elite League for VIK Västerås HK. In his debut season, aged just 21 he played in over 30 games for the club. Molin would become an important player for Västerås, and remained there for two further seasons, with his points return improving each season. In his final season with Västerås, Molin totalled 22 points in 48 games.

For the following season, Molin would move clubs to play for Brynäs IF, again in the Elitserien. He performed to a solid if unspectacular standard, but was not re-signed by Brynas. He would take the opportunity to move to the U.K. and play for the ill-fated Ayr Scottish Eagles organisation, then playing in the ISL. In 15 games for the Eagles, Molin managed to net 12 points.

Due to limited opportunites despite his respectable scoring, Molin moved again and would play the 2002/03 season as a TWK Innsbruck player. In 42 games in the Austrian Hockey League, Molin scored an impressive 50 points with just 24 minutes of penalties against his name. His best season to date saw him snapped up in the off-season by the DEG Metro Stars of the DEL. Molin played more than 50 times for the Metro Stars but failed to find his scoring touch, managing just 5 goals and 6 assists.

Despite this disappointment, Molin would find a new team and return home to Sweden to play for Hammarby IF at Allsvenskan level. He again failed to produce points on a regular basis and would move to sign for his seventh club, SHC Fassa of the Italian Serie A. Molin's output would improve significantly, and he scored 29 points in 42 games.

His potential was spotted by Tony Hand, the player/coach of the Manchester Phoenix who took the opportunity to bring Molin to Manchester in the summer of 2006. It was a move that ignited Molin, who provided the Phoenix with a reliable goalscorer - in 60 EIHL games, Molin totalled an impressive 83 points, with just 36 penalty minutes. His phenomenal first season led to Molin's signature being sought by several clubs during the off-season. Molin decided to remain in the U.K., and agreed to play for the Nottingham Panthers in the 2007/08 season. He has again started well, and so far has managed a ratio in excess of one point per game for his new team. Molin resigned for the Nottingham Panthers for season 2008/09.

External links

*hockeydb|37663
* [http://www.manchesterphoenix.co.uk/players/48_johan_molin Johan Molin Personal Profile] , Manchester Phoenix Official Website.